leo gone downhill fast....help?

[Mozess89]

ALRIGHTY....so our leo Nubbs had always been very healthy in the 2.5 years we've had it (was a small juv when we bought it): active, not shy at all, greedy eater, very alert and aware of surroundings, easy sheds, etc. Fed mainly mealworms with an occasional waxworm, all dusted in vitamin powder. Tank temps 80ish to 95.
*About 2-3 months ago, Nubbs started digging around the tank and eating a little less, but definitely not starving and was maintaining weight and pooping regularly. I read online and thought perhaps Nubbs was a (newly) mature female.
*For 1-2 months watched on Nubbs' weight (had slimmed down but not much, tail hadn't changed) and behavior (hadn't changed at all cept appetite). I continued to offer food as usual, was concerned when it didn't eat as often, but again thought it was "normal" for a female getting ready to lay eggs.
*About 3-4 weeks ago, I noticed Nubbs was beginning to loss some tail mass. I upped the waxworms to try to add bulk, but still wasn't noticing any changes in its behavior except the change in appetite. Nubbs didn't even seem to see the mealworms when offered, so I fed only waxworms since that's all it would eat. Also noticed less and less poops, seemed consistent with the amount of food it ate.
*About 1.5-2 weeks ago, Nubbs suddenly lost a significant amount of tail mass. Behavior was still fairly normal, tho it wasn't really eating, was sleeping more than usual and seemed weaker. Only urates at this point, no brown poops. Offered waxworms constantly.
*1 week ago, I had to begin feeding a liquid diet off a spoon (looking back, should've done this sooner). Nubbs continued to lose tail mass and its energy/activity level went down daily. Also had to help Nubbs shed, never had to do this before!
*Yesterday I noticed Nubbs' nose has some "crusty" stuff on it and its eyes seemed sunken in and right eye had some "crust". Nubbs now sleeps almost constantly on the hot side of the tank, won't take liquid food, and seems weak. Colors are also dull.

At this point I'm not sure what else to do for Nubbs. I feel guilty for not doing enough and I'm sure many of you with more experience can see mistakes I made, but with a baby on the way and funds tight I thought I could take care of it myself. If you can give me your opinion of what I could do to try to save Nubbs, or at least an idea of what went wrong, I'm all ears!!

 

[WHYISPY]

ALRIGHTY....so our leo Nubbs had always been very healthy in the 2.5 years we've had it (was a small juv when we bought it): active, not shy at all, greedy eater, very alert and aware of surroundings, easy sheds, etc. Fed mainly mealworms with an occasional waxworm, all dusted in vitamin powder. Tank temps 80ish to 95.
*About 2-3 months ago, Nubbs started digging around the tank and eating a little less, but definitely not starving and was maintaining weight and pooping regularly. I read online and thought perhaps Nubbs was a (newly) mature female.
*For 1-2 months watched on Nubbs' weight (had slimmed down but not much, tail hadn't changed) and behavior (hadn't changed at all cept appetite). I continued to offer food as usual, was concerned when it didn't eat as often, but again thought it was "normal" for a female getting ready to lay eggs.
*About 3-4 weeks ago, I noticed Nubbs was beginning to loss some tail mass. I upped the waxworms to try to add bulk, but still wasn't noticing any changes in its behavior except the change in appetite. Nubbs didn't even seem to see the mealworms when offered, so I fed only waxworms since that's all it would eat. Also noticed less and less poops, seemed consistent with the amount of food it ate.
*About 1.5-2 weeks ago, Nubbs suddenly lost a significant amount of tail mass. Behavior was still fairly normal, tho it wasn't really eating, was sleeping more than usual and seemed weaker. Only urates at this point, no brown poops. Offered waxworms constantly.
*1 week ago, I had to begin feeding a liquid diet off a spoon (looking back, should've done this sooner). Nubbs continued to lose tail mass and its energy/activity level went down daily. Also had to help Nubbs shed, never had to do this before!
*Yesterday I noticed Nubbs' nose has some "crusty" stuff on it and its eyes seemed sunken in and right eye had some "crust". Nubbs now sleeps almost constantly on the hot side of the tank, won't take liquid food, and seems weak. Colors are also dull.

At this point I'm not sure what else to do for Nubbs. I feel guilty for not doing enough and I'm sure many of you with more experience can see mistakes I made, but with a baby on the way and funds tight I thought I could take care of it myself. If you can give me your opinion of what I could do to try to save Nubbs, or at least an idea of what went wrong, I'm all ears!!

If you're worried and care for your gecko, take it to the vet right away. It sounds that she has had a considerable amount of weight loss and not to mention the suspicious crust around his nose and eyes which is very dangerous and can lead to severe respiratory problems and trouble with vision.

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

**DITTO**

 

[sausage]

agreed she needs to see a vet, just coz funds are tight dosnt mean she deserves to suffer! which she is
It could be somthing as simple as parasites which is easily treated by the vet and vets arnt as expensive as you think. all the ones iv been to over the years have been very reasonable

 

[mango+cola]

Agreed. But also, I would stop feeding the waxworms. This is like feeding a child only cheesecake because they refuse to eat anything else. Waxworms can be very addictive to them, and if you feed constant waxworms after they have been on a hunger strike, you could cause them to get fatty liver disease. Maybe try mushing up some mealworms and putting it on her nose (be careful not to plug her nostrils)for her to lick off. You said the temp of your tank is 80ish to 95, is this an all around temperature or do you have a temperature gradient? And how are you heating the tank?

A vet visit is definately in order though, they are not too expensive and it is totally worth it to see your pet healthy again.

 

[WilliamTheLeopardGecko]

I'm not sure, but it sounds like mouth rot. Is she blowing "bubbles" with her nose or mouth?

 

[sausage]

I'm not sure, but it sounds like mouth rot. Is she blowing "bubbles" with her nose or mouth?

confused the post dosnt say any think about blowing bubbles lol just that the eyes and nose was crusty, or did I miss something?
Also I LOVE your tag its so colourful and cute :3

 

[Mozess89]

Thanks for quick replies. I'm going to check around for vets but unfortunately right now money IS an issue for us whether its right or wrong (and I know it's def not right). If this is a parasite, are there any at-home solutions to treat them or at least help? Will I need a fecal sample for a vet, and how do I get one if its not eating?

Until I can get Nubbs to a vet, is there anything else I can do to sustain or treat it? Right now I'm worried about the benefits of force-feeding - putting liquid food on its nose to have it lick off - versus the stress it causes when its not really eating much of the food. My leo is not eating any solid foods at all, so waxworms are not an issue although I do know they're basically junk food they were never going to be a permanent fix! Also, as of this morning the "crust" seems to be gone but eyes are still sunken in, besides pedialyte is there any way to make sure its getting enough water? Breathing seems fine, I think Nubbs' big issue right now is that its body is weak from the weight loss and lack of nutrition

 

[marauderhex]

Getting a fecal done shouldn't cost more than 15-20 dollars, it is necessary, that way you know what the problem is and can appropriately treat it. Most vets will work out payment plans for care.

 

[mango+cola]

Putting mushed up food above their mouth and having them lick it off is not force feeding because they can wipe it off if they please. Force feeding is literally forcing a feeder in their mouth and giving them no option about it. This I dont agree with because it is highly stressful for them. But I see no problem putting mushed up food above their mouth and having them lick it off.

Parasites need vet treatment. The medication for it is not very expensive. The only thing I find expensive about vets is actually taking your pet to see them, not the meds or fecal samples, but it has to be done if they are sick.

Is there a water bowl in his enclosure? And make sure his humid hide is humid enough and he should get enough moisture from that. Make sure he is still getting his calcium and vitamins. Liquidize the vitamins if he isnt eating so he does not develop a calcium or vitamin deficiency.

You need to get him to eat a little so he will poop enough for a fecal sample. And the fresher the better. When it is time for fecal samples my vet gives us a tube with preservatives in so we can just put the poop in there straight away to keep it fresh and take it to the vets as soon as possible.

When my gecko wasnt eating, the vet scared her so much she pooped anyway, and that was enough for the sample.

 

[katie_]

If you do not have the funds, you need to drop her off at a local animal shelter so somebody can help her. Having no money is no excuse to neglect a very sick, suffering animal.

 

[Ozy]

If you do not have the funds, you need to drop her off at a local animal shelter so somebody can help her. Having no money is no excuse to neglect a very sick, suffering animal.

I agree, or give her to a friend that has the time and money to care for her properly. My husband and I are trying to buy a house and we're newlyweds. Money is REALLY tight for us, so I understand that money is tight. We have a special needs cat that is FIV positive, so she goes to the vet ALL the time. We make payments on our bill, because we can't afford to pay it all at once, but we still love our pets. So, there is ALWAYS a way. Also, with a baby on the way I would be wary about handling reptiles since they can carry salmonella. I think your best bet is just to take her to a rescue center, or give her to a friend or something.

 

[Mozess89]

UPDATE: The vet watched Nubbs for several days and fed her, hydrated her, and gave her antibiotics for an infection; she had no parasites or other obvious issues besides the weight/dehydration. She had begun to perk up so he was sending her home today with care instructions. He called early this morning and informed me she had died sometime between when they arrived at the office and when they went to feed her.

He did an autopsy and it turns out she had a necrotic ovarian follicle - she had begun to develop an egg in her ovary like normal, but for some unknown reason the egg stopped developing. Because the egg never fully developed, the follicle did not open. The underdeveloped egg then began to "rot" inside the follicle and cause an infection. The follicle eventually leaked the dead infected tissue into her body cavity causing liver disease and general necrosis and infection.

The vet said the only way to prevent necrotic follicles is to have the gecko spayed before she reaches sexual maturity, and the only way to treat one is to remove the ovary before or immediately after it becomes infected while it is still local and contained. He also said that once the gecko actually appears ill, it's a sign the infection has spread and most geckos will die either from the infection, the medication, or the surgery. He was shocked she had lasted as long as she did.

RIP Nubbs!!

 

[sausage]

so very sorry to hear she has died.
but at east you know now that there was absolutely nothing more that could have been done for her and that you tried. its always better to have taken then and know then not know.
RIP